U.S. economic data was strong on several fronts, showing that claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level in four years, manufacturing activity picked up and housing starts rose more than forecast.

Meanwhile, news reports Thursday said the eurozone is putting the finishing touches to a second bailout deal of 130-billion euros ($170-billion) for Greece for eurozone finance ministers’ approval on Monday.

“We are almost there,” one eurozone official told Reuters. “Unless someone really comes up with an idea to undermine the whole deal, it should be approved on Monday.”

The Dow Jones industrial average advanced almost one per cent to 12,904.08, a gain of 123.13 points.